How to recreate the Mountain House Look (through a Hazel & Morris lens)
Via Architectual Digest, design by Heidi Caillier Design, photo by Frank Frances Studio, styling by Mieke ten Have
When Kendall Jenner’s mountain house appeared on Architectural Digest, the internet fell into a kind of collective sigh: this is how many of us secretly want to live. Warm, rustic, imperfect in the best way — layered with quirky charm and old-world elegance. The look feels effortless, yet incredibly intentional.
But here’s the part that rarely gets talked about: this style isn’t built with one great paint colour or a single statement piece.
It’s built through texture, consistency and a quiet confidence in mixing styles.
Below, we break down the design principles that make the mountain house aesthetic so compelling and how you can translate them into your own home.
Via Architectual Digest, design by Heidi Caillier Design, photo by Frank Frances Studio, styling by Mieke ten Have
1. Start With Texture: The Foundation of the Entire Look
Texture is doing most of the heavy lifting in this style. Think:
wooden floors that aren’t perfectly smooth
planks with tiny height variations
visible knots and grain
beams that look like they belong in a centuries-old cottage
Even in a new build, this subtle imperfection creates instant warmth.
Smooth, uniform surfaces might feel sleek, but they rarely feel alive. The same goes for walls. Kendall’s team embraced toung-and-groove panneling and generous skirting boards — small architectural details that add depth without overwhelming a room.
2. Wood on Wood on Wood (It Works If You Know How)
People are often nervous about combining multiple wood tones. The fear is always the same: Will it look old-fashioned? Too busy? The secret is controlled repetition.
Use one or two wood tones and let them return throughout the space in flooring, beams, furniture, frames. The effect is warm, grounded and cohesive.
We do the same in many Hazel & Morris projects: two core tones, repeated in different ways, create a sense of quiet order.
3. Handcrafted Materials Create Real Atmosphere
From zellige tiles to ceramic vessels, the mountain house look leans into surfaces that aren’t perfect. A handmade tile is never exactly the same from edge to edge. That subtle unevenness is precisely why it feels so soulful. It’s the same with glazed pottery, wool throws, quilted bedding, woven baskets.
Imperfection is a design tool here, not something to “fix.”
4. Mix Quirky With Classic (And Don’t Apologise for It)
One of the most charming elements in the house is the presence of quirky objects: an asparagus vase, mismatched art, odd little frames that look like they’ve seen three lifetimes. They add humour. Humanity. A sense of someone actually living there.
This is something we wholeheartedly embrace within Hazel & Morris. A room should never take itself too seriously. A home becomes truly inviting when it feels collected, not curated to perfection. It doesn’t have to be the most beautiful item but it does have to belong to the story.
5. Pattern and Colour — But With One Consistent Story
People often see the prints and colours and assume it’s a free-for-all. But look closely and you’ll notice something subtle:
Everything shares the same underlying colour story.
From rugs to quilts, art frames to the piano, there is a repeating palette that creates calm behind all the visual richness. That’s why you can have multiple patterns without chaos. Consistency is the anchor.
Via Architectual Digest, design by Heidi Caillier Design, photo by Frank Frances Studio, styling by Mieke ten Have
Via Architectual Digest, design by Heidi Caillier Design, photo by Frank Frances Studio, styling by Mieke ten Have
6. Use Dark Rooms Confidently
Small rooms don’t have to be white. In fact, the mountain house aesthetic shows how powerful darker spaces can be: deep greens, burgundy, even black.
In bathrooms, guest rooms, pantries and hallways, darkness creates instant coziness and elevates the space into something intentionally designed.
A dark room, beautifully lit, often feels far more luxurious than a bright one with no mood.
7. Lighting: Old-World Charm Meets Modern Function
Lighting can make or break this style. The house blends:
antique-looking lamps
handcrafted brass lighting
Italian mid-century pieces
modern directional spots
The trick is to keep the feeling of age while embracing the practicality of modern fixtures.
At Hazel & Morris we often combine warm brass picture lights (perfect for spotlighting art) with more contemporary task lighting. It ensures atmosphere without sacrificing function.
8. Hardware Makes the Home
Door handles, switches, taps, cabinet knobs — they may seem small, but they are what tie the story together.Choosing hardware that feels antique or cottage-inspired immediately adds depth and authenticity.
Many people copy the wall colour but forget the details.That’s where the magic actually is.
9. Design for the Life You Actually Live
Kendall’s home reflects her life: hosting, music, creativity.
You see it everywhere — a piano ready to play, a puzzle on the table, an inviting sofa for long conversations, a dining table built for gathering.
It’s a good reminder when designing your own home:
start with how you live, not how Pinterest looks.
At Hazel & Morris, we apply this principle constantly — choosing intimate living rooms over showpiece lounges, cosy corners over vast open spaces.
Spaces become truly beautiful when they work for the people who use them.